United Nations: The World Needs More Diplomacy, Not Military Action

The United Nations stressed that the world needs more diplomacy, not more military action, responding to reports that the U.S. administration warned some Gulf states of potential attacks on Iran following the congressional midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

Stephan Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said during his daily press briefing, in response to a question from Anadolu Agency: "The world needs more diplomacy, and we do not need more military action." He added that diplomacy is what Secretary-General António Guterres consistently emphasizes, noting that he is in contact with concerned countries in the region to advance this course.

In the same context, Dujarric cited a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) when asked about reports indicating that the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) informed Congress that the cost of operations against Iran reached approximately $47.1 billion during the period from February 28 to October 16, pointing out that the report reveals the extent to which countries favor military spending over investment in development and humanitarian assistance. Dujarric expressed surprise at "the widening and growing gap between these two fields."

The Wall Street Journal had reported, citing informed sources, that there are new indicators of U.S. and Israeli readiness to launch strikes on Iran, and that Washington warned some Gulf states of intensive but short strikes after the November 3 elections. The New York Times also reported that more than 60% of those expenses went to bombs, missiles, and other ammunition.